Saudi Arabia and the Soviet Union agreed Monday, after more than 50 years of mutual suspicion and often open hostility, to resume normal diplomatic relations in a far-reaching shift of Middle East alliances. Meeting in the Kremlin with President Mikhail S.

Saudi Arabia, which refused to recognize the Soviet Union until a year ago because of the Saudi Royal Family's fierce anti-communism, is now considering giving aid to the newly democratic government in Moscow, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar ibn Sultan, flew to Moscow on a previously unannounced visit Wednesday to discuss possible financial aid and other issues, the officials said.

Saudi Arabia, in a dramatic demonstration of how the Persian Gulf crisis has transformed the Middle East, is on the verge of re-establishing formal diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union after a break of more than 50 years, informed sources told The Times on Thursday. Senior U.S. government officials said the Saudis may even consider providing financial help for the Soviets' crippled economy.

Saudi Arabia has signed a $1.5-billion loan for the Soviet Union that it pledged last year as a reward for Moscow's support during the Persian Gulf crisis, Gulf bankers and economists said Thursday. The bankers said that the loan, half for balance of payments support and half for projects, was signed in Riyadh this month.

Saudi Arabia has signed a $1.5-billion loan for the Soviet Union that it pledged last year as a reward for Moscow's support during the Persian Gulf crisis, Gulf bankers and economists said Thursday. The bankers said that the loan, half for balance of payments support and half for projects, was signed in Riyadh this month.

Saudi Arabia, which refused to recognize the Soviet Union until a year ago because of the Saudi Royal Family's fierce anti-communism, is now considering giving aid to the newly democratic government in Moscow, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar ibn Sultan, flew to Moscow on a previously unannounced visit Wednesday to discuss possible financial aid and other issues, the officials said.

Saudi Arabia and the Soviet Union agreed Monday, after more than 50 years of mutual suspicion and often open hostility, to resume normal diplomatic relations in a far-reaching shift of Middle East alliances. Meeting in the Kremlin with President Mikhail S.

Saudi Arabia, in a dramatic demonstration of how the Persian Gulf crisis has transformed the Middle East, is on the verge of re-establishing formal diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union after a break of more than 50 years, informed sources told The Times on Thursday. Senior U.S. government officials said the Saudis may even consider providing financial help for the Soviets' crippled economy.